The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-03
AN LNrEResrING coINclDENcE.

senate was ordering an investigation of
'lawlessness existing in county within
the state of Texas" upon the ground that
the ordinary processes of the law could
not be depended upon to suppress crime
within this state, and that citizens of the
United States within this state had been
deprived of their legal rights and driven
| from their homes because of their adher-
ence to the republican party, there was an
election contest going on at Austin
for seat in the house of repre-
sentatives. A white democrat
was the contestant. negro
republican the contestee, and the vote at
the election a very close one. The com
mittee on contested elections, without any
unnecessary delay, reported in favor OF
the negro, and the house, by unanimous
vote, declared him entitled to the seat ne
held. How does this occurrence CORE
spond with "the hideous tales of woe,
sadder than owl songs or the midnight
blast" told at Washington by the republi-
can refugees from Texas outrages? Now,
we are not of those who contend that
there has been no violations of
law in Washington county in
this state. There may have been, and that,
too, with view to effect the election there,
and by democrats against republicans, or
republicans against democrats. But we
are of those that deny, and Indignantly
deny, that there exists such condition of
things in any county within the state of
Texas to warrant any interference on the
port of the national government with our
internal affairs. The people of
Texas have laid behind them all
race preiudlces that interfere with an
impartial administration of the laws, state
or national. Every day it is evidenced
that the people of this state are resolved
to have truly republican state govern
ment, under which every citizen is the
equal of every other citizen, regardless of
sincere spirit and purpose of the people
of Texas, the records of the courts, the
conduct of the public schools, and all
other public matters abundantly attest.
That the feeling is strong and strengthen.
ing each day, that any interference with ell
ections by force or fraud, directly or indi-
rectly applied, is a crime of extreme and
exceptional odiousness no donbt can be
raised. 1t is, therefore, peculiarly uufOr-
tunate that the national senate should
have acted as it did just at this time, for
their action will surely cheek the growth
of the sentiment referred to. The order
ing of an investigation is declaration
that proper investigation could not be
had within the state. Thus a reflection
is cast upon the states power, honor
and law abiding character. 1t is sting
upon the state pride Of every Texan.
TITS an aspersion upon the character of
our citizens. 1t is calculated to ALLEVIATE
the people from the national government,
and to destroy the essential sentiment of
admiration and confidence in their state
government. 1t will irritate and provoke
every proud citizen of the state and lead
to violations instead of an observance of
the laws in regard to elections. Every
self-respecting Texan feels that an in
dignity has been put upon him. That the
people of his state have been
declared weak, or vicious, or both.
That we need no longer depend
upon ourselves for upholding virtue and
REFRESHING vice; but Texans are to be
made to behave themselves by su-
perior people at Washington. This is the
logical inference from the senate's action
in appointing committee to investigate
alleged lawessness in this state. Hence,
to-day the best element of citizenship all
over the state feels that the cause of the
alleged violators of the law in Washing
ton county is the cause of the State OF
Texas. sympathy is developed that
prompts to shield rather thar
help to discover the crime. Hat
the state authorities been applied to
exactly the opposite result would have fol
lowed. The best element would have beer
aroused to see the law enforced, and il
there have been violations of the laws
sure punishment would have followed the
perpetrators of the crime. An appeal to
the courts, and failing there, tt
the executive or legislative branches
of the state government, woulC
here resulted in such a rigid and thorough
investigation and firm and exact enforce
ment of the penalties of the law as woulC
have sent terror to any persons who con
template tampering with elections in tn
future. But, as matters now stand, much
harm and no good may be expected from
the senatorial investigation.
q JAMES II. RANDALL.
A short time ago, one of the editoria
staff of The STATESMAN, through an mad
yertence, wrote the name of James Il